Marcincin successfully challenged a city ordinance limiting mayoral terms to two when Northampton County Court invalidated the law in February.

The incumbent Democrat, who had supported the two-term ordinance as a council member in 1973, won his party's nomination for a third four-year term in the May primary. He faces Republican challenger Lawrence Kisslinger, a former city councilman, in the Nov. 5 general election.

Northampton County Judge Richard Griforuled that City Council does not have the authority to limit a mayor's terms of office since the 3rd Class City Code states that all elected officers "shall be eligible for re-election."

Bedics, an employee of Ross-Common Beverage Co. and a supporter of Joseph Antiga, who challenged Marcincin in the Democratic primary, appealed the issue to the Supreme Court.

McKarski said the court is not expected to rule at the hearing and that it is common for a period of 10-18 months to pass before a decision is rendered.

If the court were to rule in Bedics's favor after the general election, McKarski believes that new primary and general elections would be required.